Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-16
ALIYELY SHAM BATTLE.
Coasters HarbOr Island Taken
Nhatthe Naval Brigade Can 40.

a Newport special says: The great
sham battle has been fought, victory is
written on the triumphant banner as it
flows from each masthead of the YES
sells of the North Atlantic squadron,
The weather was rough all day and a
strong westerly gale made the landing
in the boats a hard struggle. The
naval brigade was led by Commander
William Bainbridge Holf, VINO com
manded nearly LOCO officers and men,
while the opposing force was under
Captain Davis, whose troops were made
up from the officers and crew Of the
training feet. about $50 all told.
The boats containing the First bat
talon Of blue jackets, the Gatling guns,
and marines were formed on the star
board side of the Richmond and towed
by the Richmond's steam-launch. The
boats containing the Second battalion
of blue-jackets, the three-inch howit
zer, was formcd on the port side of thu
Richmond and towed by the steam
launch Of the .Ossipee. The marine
we're landed in separate boats ana
were expected to pull the short distance
necessary after casting off tow. The
upiiolm for officers was service dress,
with leggings for the men, clean blue
watch-caps, leggings, with cantcens.
The color guard came from ships to
which color companies were attached.
The pioneers, and such implements,
sand-bags. &c., as were TO be landed
were transported from the different
vessels by boats detailed from the Dol
phin, which proceeded to different yes
sells of the squadron at that time and col
lected the force. Gun-carriages carried
such intrenching tools as could be con-
yeniently slung to them. Signal men
upon landing reported to the com
handing officers of the battalions.
Buglers went with the commanding
officers of the battalions. All the boats
had boatkeepers in excess of the men
launched, two for the infantry boats,
four for the boats landing artillery.
The forenoon was passed on board the
vessels Of the fleet in completing neces-
sary arrangements.
BY 1890 2. NJ. q general signal was
thrown out for the naval brigade to en-
bark for battle the men with twenty
rounds of blank cartridges in their belts
were marched over the side and distri
buted among the various boats. After
all the boats had been assembled along
side the flagship, General Hoff and the
members of his staff stepped aboard the
aagboat, from which signals were to be
made to the hotilla. Everything being
in readiness the signal to advance
was given. The boats of the First
battalion, under Lieutenant Com
mander 4. A. Lyon, started ahead, fol-
lowed by the others, and all stood up
the bay for the first position assigned
the attacking party, point about hall
a mile to the northward of Coasters
Harbor island, abreast the Beaches, on
which the landing was to be made. The
boats were then formed in line abreast.
Meanwhile a picket-launch belonging
to the Dolphin, having on board staff
officer and some signal men, had been
ordered to proceed cautiously in adj
vance Of the main body, inspecting the
east line, and to report If everything
was clear on the island. Soon after
the following signal message was sent
to the attacking boats
"Slight movement about Mianto-
nomi Hill. Few troops, possibly artil-
lery Of email calibre. Clouds OF dust
in the direction Of Newport, not far